1/20/24, 10:24 PM Class-X and Class-Y Safety Capacitors | RECOM

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Class-X and Class-Y Safety Capacitors

Jan 29, 2021

Capacitors are essential passive components used in every modern circuit and electronics
application for smoothing and filtering power lines and for bypassing signals. In AC/DC EMC
filter applications, two special classes of capacitors – Class-X and Class-Y – are used to filter AC
power-source noise and are commonly referred to “safety capacitors”.

Learn about where to use Class-X or Class-Y capacitors and what makes these safety capacitors
critical for modern circuit design.

Table of Contents

What are Class-X Capacitors

What are Class-Y Capacitors
Safety Capacitor Classifications
Types of Class-X and Class-Y Capacitors
Conclusion

What are Class-X Capacitors

Commonly referred to as “line to line” or “across the line” capacitors, Class-X capacitors are used to minimize EMI/RFI that may be caused by
differential mode noise in an AC power supply. Class-X capacitors are placed across the line and neutral connections to mitigate negative effects
that may be caused by conducted interference, overvoltage surges, and voltage transients. But in order to provide a clean AC signal to the circuit
they serve, Class-X capacitors are subject to all of the AC line variations which can create a hazardous situation if the voltage or power threshold of
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the capacitor’s capabilities are exceeded. In an over-stress situation, Class-X capacitors are designed to fail short-circuit, in order to trigger the
circuit breaker or fuse to break the supply circuit. However, if the overcurrent
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presents a significant fire risk.
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What are Class-Y Capacitors
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Class-Y Capacitors are commonly referred to as “line to ground” or “line bypass” capacitors. Class-Y capacitors are typically placed in between the
AC supply and ground, to handle EMI/RF noise caused by common mode noise. Class-Y capacitors are also subject to AC line variations via
conducted interference, overvoltage’ surges and voltage transients, which can also lead to hazardous situations if the threshold of the capacitor’s
capabilities are exceeded and the capacitor fails. Class-Y capacitors are designed to fail open-circuit which, different from Class-X capacitors, results
in subjecting the circuit to an unfiltered AC power source. However, the risk of fire is reduced.

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Safety Capacitor Classifications

As with many safety-critical devices, varying standards and respective classifications are used to indicate the capabilities and threshold of safety
capacitors. There are a variety of standards that are used to define safety capacitors such as IEC 60384-14, UL 1414, UL 1283, CAN/CSA C22.2 No.1,
and CAN/CSA 384-14. The most common standard IEC 60384-14 defines the safety classification of Class-X and Class-Y per various levels of Peak
Voltage Pulse before failure.

Per the IEC 60384-14, the Class-X capacitor subclasses are ranked as follows:
Subclass X3 – peak voltage pulse of less than or equal to 1.2kV
Subclass X2 – peak voltage pulse of less than or equal to 2.5kV
Subclass X1 – between 2.5kV and less than or equal to 4.0kV

Per the IEC 60384-14, the Class-Y subclasses are ranked as follows:
Subclass Y4 – under 150VAC
Subclass Y3 – less than or equal to 150VAC up to 250VAC
Subclass Y2 – less than or equal to 150VAC up to 300VAC
Subclass Y1 – less than or equal to 500VAC
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Types of Class-X and Class-Y Capacitors

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Class-X and Class-Y safety capacitors are used to filter AC signals and reduce EMI. To do so, however, they must be connected directly to the
hazardous AC line voltage which requires that they be certified as “safety capacitors” to verify that they are safely operable under this condition.
There are various form factors of safety capacitors that are used in safety-specific filtering circuits. Although not exclusively used as such, ceramic
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surface-mount and ceramic disc safety capacitors are commonly used for interference suppression AC line filtering applications while film
capacitors are more often used for conducted emission attenuation.

Ceramic capacitors and film capacitors can both be used for either Class-X or Class-Y applications, but their form factors and individual
characteristics may make one type more advantageous than the other in certain applications. Ceramic capacitors are more often used for antenna
coupling, primary and secondary coupling such as switching power supplies, line disturbance suppression such as high-speed switching controls
such as motor control, relays, switching power supplies, and inverters. Film capacitors are often used where their self-healing properties are
advantageous such as capacitive power supplies, energy meters, automotive applications, and severe ambient condition environments.

Conclusion

Class-X and Class-Y capacitors are used to filter AC power line to reduce EMI and RFI in sensitive electronics applications. There are various
classifications of both Class-X and Class-Y capacitors with different abilities to withstand varying levels of continuous AC, peak impulse voltages
and voltage transients. Regardless of the application, safety capacitors are essential to providing power to signal-sensitive electronics while
mitigating the risk of a fire or a shock hazard.

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